Nursing theories have played a critical role in shaping modern nursing. They influence how nurses are educated, how care is delivered in practice, how research is developed, and how healthcare policies are informed. In this article, we explore how nursing theories have been useful in the past and how they are evolving to meet the needs of modern and future healthcare environments.
How Nursing Theories Were Useful in the Past
Yes, nursing models have positively contributed to the profession in the past. These theoretical frameworks nurture nursing practice by providing clear definitions, descriptions, and fostering collaboration within the profession. They help nurses make informed clinical decisions and improve patient care outcomes.
Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory
Florence Nightingale developed the Environment Theory, which emphasized the need to consider environmental factors in healthcare. Her model highlighted that pure water, clean food, and a sanitary environment were critical to a patient’s recovery. Nightingale believed that the absence of these elements could significantly hinder patient healing and increase mortality rates (Gregory et al., 2022).
Faye Abdellah’s 21 Nursing Problems Framework
Nursing research and education have also benefited from Faye Abdellah’s framework of 21 nursing problems. This approach has been instrumental in structuring nursing curricula and lectures by organizing patient needs into a hierarchy of interventions and skills.
Her theory has been applied in:
Client-centered nursing approaches
Evolution of nursing models
Studies on public policy impacts on older people care
Preparation and training of nurses
These examples demonstrate how nursing theories have historically guided educational and practical aspects of nursing (Mehraeen et al., 2020).
Have Nursing Theories Changed for the Present and Future?
Yes, nursing theories have evolved over time to remain relevant and useful in today’s healthcare environment and beyond. Their core principles continue to guide modern nursing practices, improving both nurse-patient relationships and healthcare outcomes.
Evolving Nightingale and Abdellah’s Contributions
The continued evolution of Nightingale’s and Abdellah’s theories has supported nurses in delivering top-tier care that reduces patient mortality and enhances outcomes. Healthcare professionals today reinterpret Nightingale’s four nursing metaparadigms – nursing, environment, nurse, and patient – to reflect modern treatment standards and patient care expectations.
Modern Applications: Theory of Goal Attainment
Contemporary nursing practice also benefits from redefining the Theory of Goal Attainment. This model enhances the relationship between nurses and patients from diverse backgrounds, promoting empathy, understanding, and individualized care.
Establishing positive and fluid nurse-patient relationships enables nurses to gain a deeper understanding of patient needs and the subjective factors influencing their conditions. As a result, nursing care plans become more targeted and effective (Park, 2021).
One example of theory-informed care improving clinical outcomes is in the prevention and treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), where structured nursing interventions based on evidence and theory reduce complications significantly. You can read more about this in our article on Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment and Thromboprophylaxis.
Conclusion
Nursing theories have provided – and continue to provide – a valuable foundation for nursing practice, education, and research. From Nightingale’s pioneering environment-focused model to Abdellah’s problem-solving approach, and the modern adaptation of the Goal Attainment Theory, these frameworks ensure that the profession evolves with the changing landscape of healthcare.
As the healthcare environment continues to change, nursing theories will remain a vital tool for improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of care across diverse settings.
References
Gregory, D. D., Stichler, J. F., & Zborowsky, T. (2022). Adapting and creating healing environments: Lessons nurses have learned from the covid-19 pandemic. Nurse Leader, 20(2), 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2021.10.013
Park B. M. (2021). Effects of nurse-led intervention programs based on goal attainment theory: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare, 9(6), 699. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9060699
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